Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Spoilage defects in dairy products are associated with specific microbial contaminants and their metabolic activities.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the physiological and biochemical mechanisms for each match:
A. Sweet curdling is caused by Streptococcus liquifaciens (ii).
This organism is a proteolytic bacterium that produces a rennin-like extracellular enzyme.
This enzyme clots the milk at a neutral or slightly acidic pH without producing significant acid.
B. Ropiness is caused by Streptococcus lactis var. hollandicus (iv).
This variant produces extracellular mucilaginous polysaccharides, which form viscous, slime-like threads in milk.
C. Bitty cream is caused by Bacillus cereus var. mycoides (i).
This spore-former produces lecithinase, which hydrolyzes the lecithin in the milk fat globule membrane.
This causes the fat globules to coalesce and form floating "bits" or clumps on the surface of milk or cream.
D. Fruit flavour is caused by Pseudomonas fragi (iii).
This psychrotrophic bacterium hydrolyzes milk fats and proteins, producing volatile esters that impart a fruity odor.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Combining these pairs yields A – ii, B – iv, C – i, D – iii.